Strokes are caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. Stroke prevention is all the measures you can take ahead of time to prevent a stroke from happening.
It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the main cause of disability. Studies have found that being infected with COVID-19 increases the risk of strokes. More and more studies show that the combined treatment of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine has become a unique technique for lowering blood pressure and preventing strokes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 40 seconds, someone undergoes a stroke, and every 3.5 minutes, someone dies. More than 790,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke yearly; about 610,000 of these happen for the first time. In addition, there are about 185,000 cases — almost one in every four stroke cases — where people have had a stroke before.
The key to dealing with strokes is prevention and treatment within the prime time when symptoms appear. Therefore, it is essential to understand these three aspects of strokes to respond in time.
Critical insights on stroke risk, prevention, and treatment
1. Younger age and increased risk after a COVID infection
With changing times, strokes do not only favor older people. Young people may also suffer from strokes and people must be more vigilant after contracting COVID-19. In September 2020, a review published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology showed that in the United States, young people (defined in this review as those between the ages of 18 and 45) accounted for 10-15 percent of all strokes.
In September 2022, a study published in Nature Medicine showed that in the acute phase of COVID-19, there is an increased risk of a range of neurologic sequelae, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. People infected with the virus were 50 percent more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than controls.
Ischemic strokes account for most strokes and can cause speech difficulties, cognitive confusion, vision problems, loss of feeling on one side of the body, permanent brain damage, paralysis, and death.
2. Identifying a stroke and acting quickly
According to the CDC, every minute after a stroke counts. Knowing a stroke’s warning signs and symptoms can give you the golden time to act quickly when you or someone is having a stroke. The golden time of identifying and diagnosing stroke within 3 hours after the first symptoms appear can help reduce the risk of impaired physical function of the patient.
At present, the best identification method for determining a stroke is F.A.S.T.
F (Face): Is there sudden drooping weakness or numbness on one side of the face? Ask the person to smile to determine whether the smile is symmetrical and whether the corner of the mouth is crooked.
A (Arms): Is there sudden weakness or numbness in one arm or leg? Ask the person to raise both arms and hold them for a count of 10 to see if one arm is difficult to lift and sinks.
S (Speech): Is there sudden aphasia or slurred speech? Ask the patient to say “hello” to see if the words are clear.
T (Time): If any of the above symptoms suddenly appear, please call 911 immediately. This allows medical staff to begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.
3. A combination of Chinese and Western methods for stroke prevention and treatment
The American Stroke Association (ASA) indicates that 80 percent of strokes are preventable. In addition, according to a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science in 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends acupuncture as an alternative and complementary strategy for treating and improving stroke care.
Clinical trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated the benefits of acupuncture in improving balance function, reducing spasticity, increasing muscle strength, and general health after a stroke.
Historical accounts of strokes and their treatment
Regarding the prevention and treatment of strokes, Yang Jizhou (1522-1620), an acupuncturist in the Ming Dynasty, recorded some very detailed approaches in The Great Acupuncture and Summary in Treating Symptoms.
The book recorded that the prevention and treatment of strokes require a combination of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. It also indicates that strokes have warning signs.
Hu Naiwen, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor at Shanghai-Tongdetang National Medicine in Taipei, Taiwan, explained in an online program that as early as one to two months or even three to four months before a stroke, people feel soreness, heaviness, and numbness in the shin (calf) from time to time. After that, it takes a long time to recover.
This is the sign of a stroke. At this time, you should quickly punch the Zusanli point, then the Juegu point on both legs. After that, use ginger, mint, peach leaf, and willow leaf to make a soup, and wash the acupuncture area with this soup so that the “wind” can be released from these points.
Acupuncture at the Zusanli point
Acupuncture at the Zusanli point for daily health care can prevent high blood pressure. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that diseases are from abnormalities in the six factors of “wind, cold, heat, dampness, irritability, and fire”, while strokes are related to “wind.”
Acupuncture can eliminate “wind” in the body. The Great Acupuncture and Summary in Treating Symptoms also emphasizes that the best time to treat the Zusanli point is at the turn of spring and summer and at the turn of summer and autumn. After that, regular acupuncture and even the acupoints displaying scars are better.
The book also indicated that preventing and treating strokes requires restraint in diet and daily life. Unfortunately, some people do not pay attention to diet and drink too much, resulting in a stroke.
Dr. Hu said that people who regularly pinprick Zusanli and Juegu points are less likely to suffer from geriatric diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Dr. Hu once taught acupuncture, and one student learned it very well. This student used the method at Zusanli for a friend with long-term blood pressure.
As a result, his friend’s blood pressure returned to normal. A study published in Scientific Reports in 2021 showed that acupuncture is a potential treatment method for hypertension, and its mechanism of action deserves further investigation.
The study found that for rats with congenital hypertension, acupuncture can affect the expression of genes related to blood pressure and reduce blood pressure by regulating angiotensin, vascular endothelial function, and inflammation.
Traditional Chinese medicine for stokes
In addition to preventing strokes, Chinese medicine also has much experience in first aid for strokes. Dr. Hu introduces the following four methods; people can save themselves and others by mastering these techniques:
1. Sneezing
According to the classic Chinese medicine book The Golden Book of Medicine: Essential Methods for Miscellaneous Diseases, when a sudden stroke starts, blow tongguan powder into the person’s nostrils and let the person sneeze. Because the “powder can make the nose itchy, the patient will sneeze and return to life when upon sneezing; if the person doesn’t sneeze, they will be in trouble.”
Dr. Hu said that when a patient has a stroke, if it is challenging to find tongguan powder, you can take some toilet paper or a brush, as long as it is a furry thing that touches his nostrils and can stimulate the person to sneeze. A sneeze can instantly bring the person back to life.
2. Quick rescue for stroke patients
If someone has a stroke and falls to the ground, it is essential not to move the patient. Instead, call 911 and gently lift the patient onto a stretcher. Additionally, pressing the renzhong point between the bottom of the nose and the lips can cause unbearable pain and help alert medical personnel.
3. Ten-finger bloodletting
Ten-finger bloodletting is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves pricking the fingertips to let blood come out. This technique is believed to help restore the body’s energy balance and can be used as first aid for strokes.
4. Punching seven acupoints
The Master of Acupuncture and Summary in Treating Symptoms recommends working on seven acupoints for a sudden stroke: two Zusanli, two Juegu, one Baihui (GV 20), and two Auricular acupoints (SJ 21). It is important to note that the acupoints should be on the opposite side of the affected limb.
5. Acupuncture and herbal medicine
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine effectively lower blood pressure and prevent strokes. This combined treatment is becoming increasingly popular as a unique technique for stroke prevention.
Translation by Patty Zhang
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